As China prepares for the August 8 opening of the 2008 Olympics FT reporters examine the social changes underway in the country.

Beyond the preparations for Beijing’s coming out party they find a nation where the relationship between the government and its 1.3bn citizens is in transition. A new middle class eager to protect its newfound quality of life is taking to the streets. Health and labour activists around China are agitating for authorities to respect new laws and the rights of people. Lawyers are navigating different career paths in a legal system in flux. Together they illustrate how life in China is being by shaped by forces that will endure well beyond the Games.